SR-14: Antelope Valley Freeway

Hwy 14 starts off at I-5 with a rather impressive full interchange. Large and high flyover ramps connect all directions. This interchange has also had its share of problems. Originally under construction in 1971, it partially collapsed in the February 9, 1971 Sylmar / San Fernando Earthquake. Rebuilt by 1975, it collapsed again in the January 17, 1994 Reseda / Northridge Earthquake. Recently, a direct HOV connection from 14 to I-5 was added to the mix.

The Antelope Valley Freeway opened in segments. The first section from just west of Sand Canyon Road to Ward Road opened on August 23, 1963. The last segment from San Fernando Road to I-5 finally opened in 1975. In Canyon Country, a freeway interchange was planned for the SR-126 Freeway. Only a couple ramps were built as the whole freeway was cancelled a few years later. The number – 14 – was originally assigned to Artesia Blvd until 1963, when it was reassigned to the former routing of US 6.

Southbound on Route 14 at the I-5 junction.View of the 14 Freeway at the 5.Bridge stamp on the 5N/14N ramp.Side view of the NB 14 ramp from NB 5.Here a sign just north of the 5 shows this as the Antelope Valley Freeway.View of the freeway at Placerita Canyon in 1997 before the HOV lanes were added. The divided road on the right is the original Sierra Highway.This unusual signage exists along Sierra Highway (old Rte 14 and US 6) from San Fernando Road to Rainbow Glen Drive. This section is still maintained by Caltrans and is signed as 14U – Unrelinquished.

The following photo is a milepost on Sierra Highway at Friendly Valley Parkway in Santa Clarita, CA. The mileage is not accurate to the road length. Here is the explanation :

Mileposts in California are numbered by county. Mileage increases north and east. This milepost shows 30 miles to the end of the highway. SR-14 ends at I-5. Caltrans had planned on completing the highway from I-5 to the Pacific Coast Highway near Sunset Blvd. This is the reason for the anomaly.

Interchange with the unbuilt 126 freeway. Note the EXIT ONLY tab for the Sierra Highway exit. This would have been the exit for SR-126 WEST.1963 view of the former Soledad Canyon freeway terminus. Sand Canyon Road interchange is visible at center.Typical section of the freeway near Vasquez Rocks. The construction here is for carpool lanes was completed in mid 1999. The carpool (HOV) lanes now extend to Pearblossom Highway in Soledad Pass.View of the freeway near Vasquez Rocks.Ward Road terminus in 1963. View is easterly.Past the northern Soledad Canyon Road junction, heading north. In spring, the poppies really bloom in this area. This was from the 2005 season.Northbound view just after the Pearblossom Highway / Sierra Highway exit.North side of the Soledad Pass Grade. California Aqueduct bridges are visible in the background.Near the San Andreas Fault crossing at Ave S.Junction with SR-138 in Palmdale. This is near where the Metropolitan Bypass Freeway was supposed to cross. Now, a new alignment has been chosen leaving SR-14 near Avenue P-8. It may be built as a freeway or expressway.Winter view of the San Gabriel Mountains from Palmdale on the southbound 14.Northbound at Ave N, the freeway is recessed for a while, creating a more urban feel in the middle of the desert.Passing through Mojave.California City Blvd interchange, added in the early 2000’s.Rare kilometer sign near Cinco, south of Red Rock Canyon.1958 Red Rock Canyon Bridge and Red Rock Canyon State ParkNorthern end of State 14 at US 395.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

As planned, our new addition to the wineries page, a site on the wineries in the Cucamonga Valley of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties is now online. This new website was written by our wine correspondent, Russ Connelly of San Diego. Mind you, there are only three wineries, but these three have some really good stuff. I recommend checking it out and experience some of the last remaining local wine making in the Inland Empire.